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Abstract

We demonstrate a 3x1 fiber-based photonic lantern spatial-multiplexer with mode-selectivity greater than 6 dB and transmission loss of less than 0.3 dB. The total insertion loss of the mode-selective multiplexers when coupled to a graded-index few-mode fiber was < 2 dB. These mode multiplexers showed mode-dependent loss below 0.5 dB. To our knowledge these are the lowest insertion and mode-dependent loss devices, which are also fully compatible with conventional few-mode fiber technology and broadband operation.

Fig. 3 Mode-selective photonic lantern SMUX tapered transition. (top panel) Cross-section images at the same scale at different point along the length of the tapered transition. (bottom panel) Image of the whole tapered photonic lantern transition profile.

Fig. 4 Photonic lanterns FMF output profiles. (A) (left) Microscope image detail of the 3-fiber conventional lantern with visible light back illumination; (right) images of the FMF output of a conventional lantern while input coupling into three of the identical fibers one at the time. (B) (left) Microscope image detail of the 3-fiber mode-selective lantern output with visible light back illumination; (right) images of the FMF output of the mode-selective lantern while input coupling into three of the fibers one at the time. (C) Simulated LP01 and LP11 mode profiles of the expected FMF triangular shape core obtained from fusing the three fibers together along the tapered transition.

Fig. 5 (A) Output field profiles of 30 m graded-index FMF fed by the photonic lantern SMUX coupling into different fiber at the time. (B) Transfer matrix of the photonic lantern SMUX in reflection mode. Clear cells show the LP01 to LP01 (top left corner) and the LP11 to LP11 (four cells in the bottom right corner) coupling matrix cells. Grey cells show the cross-talk matrix cells.